Sheet-folding machine



A. M. MACF ARLAND.

SHEET 'somme MACHINE. APPucAnc mso oEc. 14, 19m

y1,313,71 2. Patntcd Aug. 19,1919

5 SHEETSHSIEET L ym f A. M. MACFARLAND.

SHEET FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLxcAmn min Dic. 14. |915,

A. M. MACFAHLAND.

SHEE FOLDXNG MACHINE.

APPucATaoN man DEC. 14, 19:5.

1531535712 Patented Aug. 19,1919.

\ 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. M.. MACFARLAND.

SHEET GLDING MACHINE. memos man usc. 14. ums.

Pathted Aug. 1S), 1919 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. M. MACFARLAND'.

SHEET FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLlcMmN mw unc. la, |915 1 ,3 1 3 ,7 1 2, y Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

f77/:mma

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTUE.

ALLISON M. MAGFARLAND, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASBIGNOB T0 LEO M. KUHN, 0I." BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SHEET-renown MACHINI.

Specioation of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 14, 1915. Serial No. 68,883.

To (LM whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that l, A Lmson M. Mao- FAiuaNn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie anii State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sheetl `olding Machines, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to machines for folding sheet-s of textile or analogous ma.- terial.

The objects of the invention are to provide an efficient and reliable machine of this kind which is capable of operating on vari ous grades of textile material and to fold the same without wrinkling; also to provide a machine of this kind which is adapted to operate on sheets of diti'erexn sizes; also to provide a machine of this kind which 1s provided with several folding mechanisms, and with means for directing the sheets cntering the machine to any one of said mechanisms; also to provide a machine of this kind `which is adapted to fold sheets in two directions if desired; also to provide a machine ofethis kind with a sheet receiving mechanism which is adjustable so that the `folding machine can be placed into a` position to receive the sheets directly from a machine or apparatus from which the sheets are fed; also to provide a machine of this kind which is entirely automatic in its action and which requires the minimum amount of attention; also to improve ma chinos of this kind in the respects hereinafter' specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional eleva.- tion showing in outline a sheet folding apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary .top plan view thereof.

Fig. is a longitudinal sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale. of the primary folding mechanism of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof on line limsi, Fig'. 3 the edge folding belts being.y omitted. Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation thereof `showing the means for supporting the edges of the sheets.

F ig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional 'elevation of `the edge supporting means at the discharge end thereof.

Fig. 7 is a fra mentary transverse sec* tional elevation t ereo, on an enlarged scale, on line 7 7, 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 8MS, Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a dit. rammatic plan view of the folding and discarging devices of the primary folding mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional elevation of the secondary folding mechanism of the apparatus.

Fig, `11 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, on an enlarged scaleJ on line 12v-l2, Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional eleva-- tion, onY an enlarged scale, on. line 13m-17%, Fig. 11.

A represents the on which the arts, of the folding mcchanisms are suita ly supported and which may be of any suitable construction, that sh( vn comprising a hase a, upright members a',

frame of the machine vsubstantially horizontal members a coni necting the upright member c', and a table or plate a.s arranged on the top of the frame.

The folding machine shown in the draw ings comprises an upper folding mechanism or device B extending throughout the width of the machine and adapt-ed to operate on Wide pieces or sheets. and folding mechau nisms or devices C arranged below the wide folding device and adapted to operate `upon narrow pieces or sheets. The folding machine is preferably arranged with its receivingend adjacent to the discharge end of. an ironing machine or otherdevice from which the sheets to he folded are delivered to the folding apparatus. D, Figs. l and 2, represents the discharge end of tin'.h ironing or other machine not shown), and E E repre.

sent pivoted plates constituting the reveiving platform of the folding machine. The plates are preferably pivotbd at e and adapted to be swung into any one of three positions indicated in Fig. l, to deliver the sheets to a fixed receiving plate o' of the folding device B or to a fixed receiving plate e2 ofA the folding devices C. If for any reason it is desired not to use the folding devices the pivoted receiving plates E E' can be swung into their upper position in which the 'sheets will be discharged onto the table a'. The pivoted ends of the receiving platesV are preferably arranged above the leveliof the folding devices ofl the table cia4 so that the sheets can be easily 'fed by gravity over the surface of the plates.

i' placed into operative relation to one of the folding devices C, and the entire width of the machine can then be utilized by feeding small sheets at the side of the larger ones. The positions of the plates E and E may be regulated by means of arms e3 and e* or any other suitable means. If desired, a larger number of receiving plates may be rovided. X represents aplarge sheet passing through the folding mechanism B.

If the discharge end D of the ironin or :other machine is arranged below the evel of the folding devices or table a, the sheets discharged therefrom can be fed elevating means of any suitable construction. For

this purpose two sets of: rollers F F and F F are provided which are connected by means of belts or tapes f f. The adjacent pairs of rollers F and F revolve .in opposite directions and are so placed relatively to each other that two runs of the Vtapes f If are in contact and move in the same direction. The contacting runs in the construction shown move upwardly so that arsheet or article passing from the discharge end D of tlie ironing machine will pass between the contacting runs of the belts or tapes, and

will be drawn upwardly end discharged at the upper end of the movable receiving plates E E'. 4 i

A sheet to be folded is fed from` the stationary receiving plate e' and passes between a plurality of tapes or cords G G which engage respectively the upper and lower surfacesof the sheet. These cords G G ss: over pulleys or disks `g q mounte,d ong' driven shafts g g2 suitably journaled o `the receiving end of the lframe of the machine andjove'r -grooved eids of plates gs g* espiwtively atl the other end of the folding i'nechanisrn. These plates also support thoseruns of the cords which engage the article. The pulleys gV g' and the eirls of the plates g" g are so arranged relativel to each other that the lower runs. of the epressin'g cords G en a e .the upper face of the sheet ,to be ol ed, `and the osition to the plate e2 ofv gage the lower face of the sheets. The cords G G are arranged at equal distances from each other, the distances between the cords at the receiving end', of the lfolding device depending upon the width to-whicli it is desired to fold the article. In order to preventwrinkling of the sheets, the distance or space etween adjacent sheet-engaging cords is the same from their receiving to their discharge ends, this space being in a substantially horizontal direction at the receiving ends of the cords and in a substantially u right direction at the discharge ends o the cords. The sheet engaging runs of the cords converge horizontally and diverge vertically in a direction awavfrom the receiving end of the folding mec anism B, so that the run of the supporting cord engaging the lower face Vol" the sheet draws the portion of the sheet which it engages upwardly, and the run of the depressing cord engaging the upper face=of the sheet draws the part of the sheet which\it enga es downwardly. In this manner each o the sheetengaging rims of the cords forms a fold of the sheet and the folds are brought close together by the converging of the cords horizontally.

The plates g g* may be suitably supported from the frame of the machine in any desired manner, the lates g bein sup orted from above and t e lates q* from elow, so that the passage oi) the sheet lengthwise of the plates will not be interfered with.

' It is esirable to construct the machine in such a 'manner that the cords of the folding mechanism may be adjusted toward and vvfrom each other, so that the width of the fo'lds can be varied. A ny suitable means may be employed for this purpose. -Iii the construction shown, the pulleysng g are adjustably secured on the shafts g by means of set screws h or the like, and the plates g g* are secured on supporting stra s or rods h', which are `mounted on rods gl extending transversely of the frame of the machine and which straps Ii are adjustable .horizontally lengthwise of'the rods and Vadapted to be secured in the desired ,positions fby means of set screws It. The ends 0f the rods H are adjustable vertically on bars It secured on the sides of the machine, so that the cords can be adjusted in any desired direction.v h* represents idler pulleys or wheels mounted on links h which are pivoted on the plates q g and are yieldingly held by means of springs h in positions to cause the pulleys L to engage the cords and maintain the same taut. Any other meansmay be employed .for this purpose. Guide plates gs g* an guide the cords iiito relation to the driving pulleys g g'.

The folds of the sheet are brought as proper upper runs of the supporting cords G enclosely togetherxas ispracticabl'e by means ins la.' are securedv on the 4:sus

`supported by means of a bracket o7 secured one of the sup ortin cords G and will not extend beyon the epressing cord Gr, this edge of the sheet will be folded by the mechanism above described, without dilliculty. If. however, the edge of the sheet at the rear side' of the machine extends beyond a depressing cord G and does not reach the next supporting cord G', the unsupported edge portion of the sheet will be of greater width than the other folds of the sheet, and means are referahly provided for supporting and foldm this edge of the sheet'in such a case, those s own in thofdrawings being constructed as follows:

Two belts O (Y are arranged between a depressing cord G endian elevating cord G in such a manner that the edge of the sheet at the rear side of the machine, if the same extends beyond a depressing cord G, will pass between the belts. The belts pass around substantially horizontal rollers o 0' at the receiving end of the folding mechanism and around rods or brackets o2 o, Figs. 6 and 7, at the other end of the mechanism, the.brackets being substantially upright so as to. deliver the overla ping edge of the sheet between the belts O at the discharge end of the mechanism in a substantially upright position. The rollers o o', Fig. 5, are mounte'd upon brackets 0* o5 loosely secured on the u pei and lower shafts g2 g2 respectively, an the rollers o o"A are driven from the upper and lower shafts g2 g2 respectively, by means of belts o or other suitable means. In the construction shown, the lower roller o is on the frame of the machine and the upper roller rests by gravity upon the lower rol er. In 'order to feed the rear edge of the sheet between the belts O O', the receiving plate e is provided with an extensioni os which supports the edge of the sheet until it passes between the belts. Any other suitable' means for iolding the unsupported edge of the machine may be employed.

The sheets after beingr` folded longitudinally by means of the mechanism scribed, can be removed from the machine andl folded in the other direction by hand, or if desired, a folding mechanism may be employed for folding the sheets in a transverse direction.. In the mechanism shown for this purpose a plurality of plates p are linked or hinged together to form an endless chain P. This chain passes around sprocket wheels R by means of which movestuds vor pivots ment is imparted thereto and the movement of the chain and of the individual lates p relatively to each other is prefers. lv controlled by means of c am tracks S S and extending beyond the sides of the chain. In the construction shown, long and short pivots or studs p2 are ength arranged alternately throughout t e plates, the plates are drawn by of .the chain and muy, il desi red. be formed as 1n the construction shown by the extending ends of the hinge pintles connecting the plates p. T he ends of the studs are prcfernbl y provided with anti-friction rollers p3 adapte( to engage in the cam tracks S S. The sprocket wh'eels R have recesses -r into which the studs p p2 enter, and the rotation of the sprocket wheels in a clock wisc direction in Fig. 10, causes the studs to enter the recesses o' and thus imparts motion to the chain. Tht` two cam tracks S are arranged so that they terminate in such relation to the sprocket wheels and to the chain that theends ot' the long studs engage with these tracks, while the siorter studs continue to more with the sprocket wheels until they come into engagement with the tracks S. The two tracks diverge in such a manner that the plates constituting the chain swing about theirj pivots or hinges so that each plate forms an acute angle with the adjacent plate. The movement of the sprocket. wheel causes the plates in this position to moi'e along the horizontal parts of the tracks S S and then to move downwardly into the upright portion of the tracks. The chain P and its coperating parts are'so arranged relatively to the dis charge belts k k that the sheet which has been folded longitudinally is discharged lengthwise over a plate or table r and onto" the plates constitutin the chain. As these plates assume angu er relations to each otherfthe sheet supported thereon is folded as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, and when the plates reach the upright part of the tracks S S at the discharge end of the machine, the fol-ded sheets may be rl moved from the machine by pulling them out of engagement with the plates, recesses or notches p, being provided in the plates to facilitate the removai of the folded sheets. `Aftnr the folded sheets have been removed from the the sprocket wheels along lower horizonte guide tracks s and again pass around the sprocket wheels. By means of the machine described, the sheets pass continuously through the machine and since no reciprocat/ory parts are employed, the machine 'pan be operated at u high rate of speed. The machine described is so constmcted that it can be placed into operative .relation to 'an ironing machine in a laundry and the sheets as they issue from the ironin machine, pass directly to the foldin lmac line Without requiring anyl manual la r. A large amount of labor is saved by the folding machine, which requires practieatl/gs l-no attention, except `by the operatoijwho removes the folded sheets from the machine. The machine is also caable of operating onsmall as well as on arge sheets, and the changing from one size of sheets to another is a simple operationand, belgrade in an instant. The inacliineV wtnip'ensve to construct, simple mxitso 'eration and comprises no parts which wil easily VWear out.

1 claim as my invention:

1: In a sheet folding machine, the combination of a plurality of cords arranged to alternately engage opposite faces of a sheet for folding the same as the sheet passes through the machineysaid cords converging horizontally and diverging vertically from the receiving end of; the machine to divide the sheet into folds and to bring the folds together, meansfor adjusting the receiving ends of saidcords horizontally toward and from each other,'means for adjusting the discharge ends of said cords vertically toward and from each other, a plurality of substantially upright blades arranged at the discharge ends of said cords and converging from the receiving end of the machine, and means for adjusting said blades vertically with regard to each other.

2. In a sheet folding machine, the comblnation ofen Lllilrality of cords which are adapted to receive a sheet and which converge horizontally from the receiving end of the machine to fold the sheet whenthe same passes throu h the machine, means for zdjustingsaid cor s relatively to each other to adapt the machine to vary the size of the folds, al plurality of substantially uprightblades arrangednt the discharge ends of said cords and converging from the ref ceiving end of the machine, and means for adjusting seid Vblades vertically.

3.v In e sheet folding machine, the combination of a plurality of endless Amovable cords which are adapted to receive a sheet and which converge horizontally for fold ing the sheet, a plurality of converging blades arranged at the discharge ends of said cords and adapted to receive the sheet from the cords for bringing the folds of the sheet together, and a pair of contacting belts between which the folded sheet enters upon leaving;V the bladesl and which with-- draw the sheet from -the blades, said belts passing over pulleys arranged in a' plane extending substantially7 at right angles to the planes of said blades for turning the sheet through a substantially right angle.

4. In al sheet folding machine, the combination of a plurality` of folding' mechanisms arranged one above the other, and guide plates arranged side by side and pivotally mounted at one end and adapted to receive the sheets to be folded` at said end, said guide plates being'A adjustable about their pivots independently of each other to direct sheets to be folded to any of said foldingr mechanisms. i

5. In a sheet folding machine, means which engage a sheet at intervals for alten nately supporting and depressing adjecemportions of thelsheet and which con verge to bring the portions of the sheet toward each other to effect the folding of the same and to move the sheet through the machine, and a pair of contacting belts arranged suh- Stantially parallel to said Ycords adjacent to one edge of-the sheets, the contacting faces of the belts moving in the same direction and being so arranged that an unsupported edge portion ot' a Sheet enters between the` same, said belts being twisted to fold said edge pOltOll into proximity to the other folds of the sheet. Y

6. In asheet folding machine, means` which engage a sheet at intervals for alten mately supporting Vand depressing adjacent portions of the sheet and which converge to bring the portions of the sheet toward each other to effect the folding' of the same and to move the sheet through the machine, said means being movable and carrying the sheet through the machine while folding the same, and av painof contacting belts so arranged relativelyto said means `as to engage Ythe edgeportions of sheets, the contacting faces of said belts moving in the same direction and at the same speed as said supporting means and bcingso arran ed that the unsupported edge portion of a s eet enters between the same, said belts beiner twisted to fold the edge portion of the sheet in1o proximity lo the other folds of the sheet.

7. III a sheet folding,r mechanism, the com bination of a plurality ot endless cords. pnlleys for actuating said cords,l some Yoi' said cords having runs engaging the lower face of the-sheet for supporting the same and some of said cords having runs engaging the upper face of the sheet for depressing the same, said 'sheet-engagingrnns of the cords extending in directions to bring the` folds of the sheet together, and a pair of contacting;r belts arranged at one edge of the mechanism between a. supporting and de ressing cord, the contacting faces of said belts moving in the same direction and at the same speed as said cords, said belts be ing so errang' that a portion of :i sheet enters between the belts, said belts being twisted to fold the portion of the sheet engaged thereby into angular position as 'said sheet would have been folded by said supporting and depressing' cords.

8. In a sheet folding machine, the com bination of a plurality of endless cords, pulleys for actuating said cords, some of said cords having runs engaging the lower face of the sheet for supporting the same and some of said cords having runs engaging the upper face of the sheet for depresssubstantially the same edge portion of a sheet and arranged at oneA edge of the machine adjacent to a depressing cord, said belts lheilig twisted to fold the edge of the sheet upwardly.

9. In a sheet Afolding machine, the comfbination of a plurality of endless cords having runs adapted to engage the sheets for folding the sheets lengthwise, coperating belts arranged in operative relation to said cords and twisted through substantiallyr a right angle, and transverse folding niecmnism to which said sheets are delivered by said belts. V

10. In a sheet folding machine, the combination of mechanism for folding a sheet lengthwise, transverse folding mechanism comprising a plurality of prvotally connected plates which are adapted to be placed substantially into alinement with each other to receive said folded sheet, and means for swinging the plates into an acute an ular relation to each other to effect the fo ding of the sheet.

11. In a sheet folding machine, the combination of mechanism for folding a sheet lengthwise, transverse folding mechanism to which the sheet is delivered from said first mentioned mechanism and which comprises 'a plurality of pivotally connected plates upon which said folded sheet is placed, and means for swinging said plates into an acute angular relation to each other for effecting the foldin of the sheet.

12. In a sheet fo ding machine, the combination of mechanism for folding a sheet in one direction, and secondary folding mechanism which comprises a plurality of ivotally connected plates forming an en less chain upon which said folded sheet is laid means or imparting movement to, sai chain, and means for swinging the plates of said chain into acute angular relation to each other for effecting the folding of the s ieet.

13. In a sheet folding machine, the combination of mechanism for folding a Sheet in one direction, and secondary folding mechlaid, means for imparting movement to said chain, means for guiding the movement of said plates and which engage the plates and cause eachplate to ,move out of alinement with the other plates and into an acute angular relation to adjacent plates for effecting the foldin of the sheet. l

14. In a sheet olding machine, the combination of mechanism for folding a* sheet in one direction, and seconderV foldn mechanism which comprises a plyiirality o ivotally connected plates forming an endess cham upon which saidfolded sheet is laid, means for imparting movement to said chain, studs projecting from said plates, and a cam track adapted to be engaged by `said studs and causin each plate to swing into acute angular reation with adjacent plates to offset the folding of-the sheet.

15. In a. sheet fold' machine, the com-V bination of mechanism or foldn -a sheet in one direction, and secondary fol ing, mechanism which comprises a. plurality of ivotally connected plates forming an en lem chain upon which said folded sheet is laid, means for imparting movement to said chain, short and long studs projecting alternately from the pivotal axes' of the plates, cam tracks arranged to be engaged by said short studs, and cam tracks engaged by said long studs, said two sets of cam tracks divergmg to cause eachplate to move ont of almement with the other plates and into acute angular relations with adjacent plates to effect a folding f the sheet.

Witness my hand, this 8th day of December, 1915.

ALLIsoN M, MACFARLAND.

Witnesses:

.Mimizan J. PITMAN, FELIX E. PnooHNow. 

